approach Look up approach at Dictionary.com
c.1300, from Anglo-Fr. approcher, from O.Fr. aprochier, from L.L. appropiare "go nearer to," from L. ad- "to" + L.L. propiare "come nearer," comparative of L. prope "near." Replaced O.E. neahlęcan. The noun is late 15c., from the verb. Figurative sense of "means of handling a problem, etc." is first attested 1905.